Download JOB DESCRIPTION: (draft)

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
(University of London)
Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health
Research Assistant in Epidemiology
Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology
FURTHER INFORMATION
THE SCHOOL
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading Schools of
Public Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate
education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in
Europe with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines.
The School was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the country in the Times
Higher Education’s 'table of excellence', which is based on the 2008 Research Assessment
Exercise (RAE), ahead of the London School of Economics, Oxford, Imperial and University
College, London. The institution also achieved the largest increase in ranking compared with
2001, of any of the top 10 institutions in the RAE rankings. In 2009, the School became the
first UK institution to win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students from
100+ countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London (~650) or
through distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree training (~400). Over
40% of these students are from non-European countries. The largest growth has been in
distance learning students (>40% over 3 years), though the London-based student
population (where accommodation limits growth) is at its highest level ever. Alumni are
working in more than 180 countries. The School has about 1400 staff drawn from over 60
nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world, utilizing our
critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians, epidemiologists,
statisticians, social scientists, molecular biologists, immunologists, ophthalmologists,
anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists. At any one time around 100
School staff are based overseas, particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a strong
commitment to partnership with institutions in low and middle income countries to support the
development of teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds m£62.4
per annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international sources. The
commitment of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and policy relevance will
ensure that the School continues to occupy a leadership position in national and global
health, adapting quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
Mission
The School's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide through
the pursuit of excellence in research, postgraduate teaching and advanced training in
1
national and international public health and tropical medicine, and through informing
policy and practice in these areas."
THE FACULTY
The Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health (EPH) houses a large group of
epidemiologists, demographers, statisticians and nutritionists working on issues of major
public health importance in the UK and globally. EPH has approximately 294 staff members
organised into five research departments.
Department of Population Studies
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Department of Medical Statistics
Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology
Department of Nutrition and Public Health Intervention Research
The Faculty has a teaching programme consisting of nine MSc courses: Epidemiology,
Demography and Health, Medical Statistics, Public Health in Developing Countries (run
jointly with the Faculties of Infectious & Tropical Diseases and Public Health & Policy), Public
Health Nutrition, Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, Veterinary Epidemiology (run
jointly with the Royal Veterinary College), and the Distance Learning courses in
Epidemiology and Clinical Trials. The Faculty also has approximately 149 research students
studying for an MPhil, PhD or DrPH degree. The Head of Faculty is Professor Laura
Rodrigues.
THE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (NCDE) is the
main focus of research on the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases at the London
School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. While most of our studies have been in the UK or
other high income countries, we have a growing programme of research on noncommunicable diseases in low and middle income countries, including India and parts of the
former Soviet Union. Research interests range from genetic susceptibility to disease, through
metabolic and endocrine disease mechanisms to personal behaviours and the population
health effects of changes in national diets and drinking behaviours. Themes include
determinants of ethnic variation in disease risk; adverse drug reactions; epidemiology of
ageing; foetal and childhood origins of adult disease; determinants of reproductive outcomes;
cardiovascular disease; growth factors and cancer risk; natural history of genital human
papillomavirus (HPV); time trends in cancer survival; non-communicable diseases in low and
middle income countries. The unit has considerable methodological strength and experience,
particularly in the analysis of genetic association studies and the conduct and analysis of
large scale longitudinal cohort and record linkage studies. We work closely with colleagues in
other units and departments and have excellent collaborative links with researchers in other
institutions around the world. Funding comes from a wide variety of sources including the
Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK.
The Department Head is Professor Isabel dos Santos Silva.
2
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Post:
Research Assistant in Epidemiology
Faculty/Dept
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health / Department of NonCommunicable Disease Epidemiology
Grade:
Academic Pathway Grade 5
Responsible to:
Dr Sinéad Langan (Clinical Lecturer in Epidemiology, LSHTM)
THE POST
This post is for a research assistant to join the Department of Non-Communicable Disease
Epidemiology (NCDE), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). The postholder will work on the National Institute of Health Research-funded project ‘The natural
history and management of herpes zoster: impact of moderate immunosuppression from
common diseases”. The aims of the project are to study HZ outcomes, the impact of mild to
moderate immunosuppression, patterns of use and effectiveness of antivirals and the benefit
of HZ vaccination. The project will use large linked UK datasets of hospital, general practice
and mortality records and a large US administrative database.
The post-holder will assist the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Sinéad Langan, in the data
management and in selected analyses of the large datasets used for this project. S/he will
be expected to undertake a PhD in Epidemiology using these data, on a topic that relates to
the aims of the study.
In addition, up to one quarter of the post-holder’s time will be spent on managing research
data utilising electronic health records for a broader range of studies being undertaken in the
department. This work will involve, for example, extracting datasets from the whole General
Practice Research Database and associated linked datasets such as Hospital Episodes
Statistics. This aspect of the post will be under the overall direction of Professor Liam
Smeeth and will involve working collaboratively with a range of researchers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To prepare the large datasets for analysis for a programme of work around herpes
zoster. This will include merging, cleaning and categorising the data, and (under the
supervision of the PI) developing and applying code lists for the variables of interest.
2. To work with the PI in carrying out selected analyses of the data.
3. To participate in the writing of results of the analyses for publication in peer reviewed
journals and in any other form of dissemination of research findings, such as research
seminars.
4. To identify, obtain and maintain relevant research papers and anonymised patient
hospital correspondence.
3
5. To undertake data extraction and initial data management of electronic health record
data for collaborative studies within the department
6. To participate in monthly meetings held within the Faculty of Epidemiology &
Population Health at the LSHTM for researchers who work on studies using these
large datasets.
7. To undertake other duties as may be required by the Principal Investigator.
8. To contribute to the School’s postgraduate teaching programme
9. To contribute appropriately to the academic life of the Department, Faculty and the
School
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL:
1. A Masters Degree in Epidemiology or related area with very good results
2. Evidence of excellent quantitative skills with a range of statistical techniques and
methods.
3. Proven ability using statistical software for managing and analyzing data using STATA.
4. Proven expertise in wider information technology including creating, manipulating and
managing very large complex datasets with a meticulous approach.
5. Excellent writing skills
6. Interest in the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the impact of vaccination in the
United Kingdom and the United States.
7. Willingness to do a PhD in Epidemiology using these data
DESIRABLE
1. Experience in working with UK population-based data on infectious diseases
2. Experience in working with US population-based data on infectious diseases
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be until 31st August 2015 and will be made on LSHTM’s Academic
Pathway, grade 5, spine point 27, £30,915 per annum, inclusive. Our ideal start date is 1st
September 2011.The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service.
Membership of the pension scheme is available.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line via our website jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for this
post is SL01. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until midnight
on the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to
[email protected]. Applications should include a CV and the names and email contacts of 2
referees who can be contacted immediately if shortlisted.
4
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and
training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs
addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection
process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be
considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be
considered acceptable. Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on
the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer.
5